10 Literature and Composition (10 LC) - Semester 2

Ms. Val Nafso

Contact Me:
Feel free to share concerns, wins, or questions. I check my email frequently throughout the day, but please
allow me 24 hours for a response (I will almost always respond much sooner than that though).
Email: vnafso@troy.k12.mi.us
www.msnafso.weebly.com

Class Website (Check each day for updates):

Room #: 238

Turnitin.com: Log in with your current turnitin.com log-in and type in the class code and password to
enroll in your class
1st Hour ID: 11550494 1st Hour PASSWORD: nafso1
6th Hour ID: 11550505 6th Hour
PASSWORD: nafso6

Course Description:
10 LC students will become more aware of the community around them and to start considering their place
in it. As we navigate an increasingly complicated society, and as you gain more independence as a learner
and a member of this community, it is important that you consider multiple perspectives about issues,
learn to communicate your beliefs effectively, and advocate for causes that you believe in. Our study of
literature and writing will help you to connect with and to develop your own ideas about the issues
currently challenging our community. English Language Arts skills are embedded in the world around us;
speaking, writing, reading, and THINKING are powerful tools that have started revolutions. The course is
focused on literary analysis, moving towards synthesis, teaching students to recognize an original claim
and moving them to write complex claims, supported by evidence and logical reasoning. It is also a
reading-focused course, focusing on annotating and interacting with the text. Students should be able to
identify the claim, evidence, and reasoning. They should understand the difference between an explicit
and implicit claims. They should also read to analyze author's craft and its impact on the reader.

Classroom Policies:
Electronic Devices: The work in our classroom will often be facilitated with technology. If you have an
iPad, PC, or smartphone, you may (with permission) use it in the classroom. You should have it charged and
with you at all times. If you do not have one, there will be a few available for classroom use. It should be
put away during instructional time or discussions, unless told otherwise.
Homework Policy: The primary purpose of homework is to come to a better understanding of the content
of the course. It will also help me assess your understanding of course concepts; therefore, it is vital to put
your honest effort into assignments. The purpose of homework is for PRACTICE; therefore, most homework
assignments will be graded on effort and completion. Homework may be in the form of reading, reviewing,
practicing skills, and preparing for discussions/essays. Completed homework can often be used as
resources for quizzes and classroom activities.
Reading Assignments: You will be responsible for reading a wide selection of material. Annotation and
note taking are expected for all reading assignments, and may be counted for points upon occasion.
Annotation and note taking will allow you to discuss your learning about the readings with more powerful
articulation and analysis. We will also have silent reading each day (R&R-Read and Relax). Make sure you
bring your independent reading book with you every day.
Writing Assignments: Assignments will vary in scope from short responses to essays of several pages.
These assignments must be typed (MLA style) and free from spelling/grammatical/mechanical errors. Some
assignment will be submitted electronically, but for those that are not, printing issues are not an excuse for
late work. You will not be allowed to print during class. We will also have writing time in notebooks
frequently.

Late Work: All course work is expected to be turned in on time (in the beginning of class the day it is
due). In the event of an excused absence, you may make up the work assigned and turn it in. You have as
many days as excused absences to make up the work. Unexcused absences do not allow for make-up
work. Any unexcused late assignments should go in the "Late Bin" and will not be prioritized. Late work is
not guaranteed feedback.
Cheating/Plagiarism: Troy High School prides itself on treating all students with respect. Consequently,
we believe it is critical to hold our students to a high standard of scholarship and integrity in order to
maintain the quality of the learning environment for all students; therefore, cheating and plagiarism will
not be handled lightly.
Plagiarism can be defined as representing someone elses ideas, words, statements, or other work
as ones own without proper acknowledgment or citation. (i.e. copying word for word, lifting
phrases, or using a special term from a source or reference, whether oral, printed, or on the
internet; paraphrasing another persons written words or ideas as if they were ones own; or
borrowing facts, statistics, graphs, or other illustrative material without proper reference, unless the
information is common knowledge). All of our class essays will be submitted to www.turnitin.com to
confirm the authenticity of your work.
Cheating is anything including copying homework, letting someone copy your homework,
plagiarism, having notes visible during quizzes or tests, etc.
I would want to earn enough of your respect that you wouldnt want to cheat in my class, but ideally, I
want you to have enough respect for yourself and for learning that you wouldnt do it at all. There is no
point in cheating because it does not give either of us an accurate representation of your
understanding. Plus, it is not worth losing respect and possibly getting suspended.
Final Exam: A final exam will be given. It will count for 10%-20% of your grade.
Attendance: VIEW THE WEBSITE ON THE DAY(S) YOU ARE ABSENT BEFORE COMING TO CLASS.
There, you will be able to see what we did, what you missed, and any notes/worksheets that were given
out. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you will be expected to turn it into me when class
begins on the day you return, otherwise it goes in the late bin. If you are absent on the day I assign
something, you will have one day to make up work for each day you are absent (only for excused
absences). If you do not abide by that schedule, your schedule will go in the late bin. If you have an
unexcused absence, your work that was due that day will go in the late bin. I have blue mailboxes on the
student supply table where I put handouts from each day. Check the mailbox slot for the day you were
absent for any hard copies of handouts. Please respect this policy and take responsibility of your absences.
You should never have to contact me when you are absent unless you have a question about something
we did that day after viewing the website. If you are absent on the day of a quiz, I do not administer makeup quizzes unless you have an excused absence. If your absence is excused, you must contact me
immediately to schedule a time before or after school to make it up, otherwise it will remain a 0.
Behavior: Basically, WORK HARD and BE KIND. Both good and bad actions have consequences in this
class (can be positive or negative consequences). Disrespectful behavior towards classmates or the
teacher will not be tolerated. Please practice mature and appropriate learning behaviors. Pay attention,
participate, respect the people and learning process in the classroom, and have fun.
Snacks/Drinks: Snacks/Drinks are allowed so long as there is absolutely no evidence ANYWHERE.
Tardy: I will follow the THS tardy policy. If a student receives four tardies in a quarter, he/she will be
assigned a Saturday school.
Participation: Students should come to class prepared to participate in a positive manner. individual
preparation and level of engagement will show itself through your participation in group work, whole class
discussions, individual responses, and reading conferences with me. The most intellectually challenging
classes are made of students who actively engage with their learning. Part of your grade will include a
reflection based upon the evidence you provide, and my records, to show how your contributions have
pushed the class into deeper understanding of our study, and/or how you have personally benefitted from
participating in class.

Supplies:
Required:
A folder (reserve one side for completed/handed back assignments and one side for notes and
assignments to complete
A notebook SPECIFICALLY for English class
pens/pencils/highlighters/loose-leaf paper
USB Flash Drive or a good working knowledge of Google Drive/One Drive
Independent Reading book (a novel of your choice)

Coursework:
Writing:
-Persuasive Essay: to develop a claim and analysis of theme (using reasoning, relevant and sufficient
evidence)
-Research paper on a social issue
-ACT writing
Reading:
-Shakespearean Tragedy Julius Caesar William Shakespeare
-Suggested Speeches
- A Eulogy to Martin Luther King Jr. -Robert Kennedy (speech)
-Symbolism and Allegory: Lord of the Flies
-Short Story Selections:
- "Coral Island (excerpt from www.gutenberg.org/dirs/exts96/coril10.txt)
-The Lottery- Shirley Jackson
-Possibility of Evil Shirley Jackson (textbook)
Research
-Argument and Persuasion (Unit 6, 8, and 12 in textbook)
ACT Reading, Writing, and English (Skills)
English Skills
-Grammar
-Semicolons, colons, and commas
-Sentence types
-Fragments, Run-ons, Comma Splices
-Agreement (pronoun-antecedent and subject-verb)
-Vague/ambiguous pronoun usage
-Word usage, clarity, logical flow, ordering
-Commonly Confused Words
-Redundancy
-Concise Wording
-Parallel Structure
-Repetition
Writing Skills:
-Timed writing
-Argument/rhetorical device
-Claims
-Appeals (pathos, ethos, logos)
-Evidence (facts, statistics, expert opinion, examples)
-Concession/rebuttal
-Counterargument
-Analogy
Reading Skills:
-Purpose and Audience
-Connotation
-Evaluating and Analyzing Authors Message

-Explicit versus Implicit Meaning

-Contextual Clues
-Determining Author's Tone

Important Notes

Grades will be posted as often as possible. I will typically post every couple of weeks. It is your
responsibility to check and keep track of your grades.
* Reading the Textbook at Home: You can access our class textbook for free at www.classzone.com.
o Activation Code for "Literature Grade 10" Book (Blue): 4702955-40
Seven Survival Skills leaders look for in their new hires: Critical thinking and problem solving,
collaboration, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, communication skills, the
ability to analyze information, and curiosity and imagination. (Richhart, Creating Cultures of
Thinking)
Note: Having internet or printer problems is not an acceptable excuse for not having
homework/reading done. There is always a way, whether it is going to a friend's house, go to the
media center, come to school early, etc.

Classroom Procedures
At the Beginning of Class:
1. Get to your seat when the bell rings.
2. Get out your materials for ENGLISH CLASS ONLY and put them on your desk (including homework
that is due that day). If you were absent the day before, check the mailboxes for handouts.
3. As soon as the bell rings, check the board for a writing prompt. If there is no prompt, begin reading
your independent book. If there is a prompt, answer it in your writer's notebook.
4. As you read or write, I will be taking attendance and checking in homework.
At the End of Class:
1. We will always do some kind of wrap-up session, whether it is an informal assessment (1-4 scale,
fist to five, thumbs, etc.) or an exit conversation to make sure youve achieved the goal for that day.
2. There is absolutely NO PACKING UP until I have made my final announcement; once I have made
my final announcement, if there is extra time, you may chat with a friend, but you need to be in a
seat until the bell rings (there will be no lining up by the door).
"Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world." - Nelson
Mandela

Classroom Protocols
Classwork Protocol
Keep talking at a minimum unless you are discussing the work with a classmate or working in
partners/groups; stay on task (no working on other work); use your time wisely; no use of electronic
devices until work is finished.
Discussion Protocol
Be actively engaged (listening attentively, ask questions, build off a classmate, jot down notes, add
insight); Respect one another (no interrupting or talking over one another, be appropriate); Stay on topic
(try not to go off on rants or tangents); have appropriate materials out on desk.
Silent Reading Protocol
Complete silence; no head down or working on other work; engage with a text (sticky notes, annotating,
etc.) for the allotted time.
Peer Editing Protocol
Give constructive feedback; not what youre doing wrong but what can you do to make it better; give
honest feedback.

Group Work Protocol

Do your part; share your strengths; be actively engaged; stay on task; work well with others in any work
environment, you will most likely have to work well with people who are completely different from you, so
keep an open mind and respect them.